Thesaurus results for COUNTERATTACKS

counterattacks

noun

variants or counter-attacks

plural of counterattack

as in attacks

an attack made to counter an enemy's attack suddenly the tide of battle turned, and the rebels, who had been falling back, made a furious counterattack

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of counterattacks Capcom is emphasizing deliberate blade-on-blade combat, with precise parries, directional deflects, Issen counterattacks, Reflex Combos, Oni Armaments, Oni Strength, Oni Agility, soul absorption, environmental attacks and dynamic dismemberment. — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026 Second balls and counterattacks Hull’s prowess at mopping up second balls is not limited to McBurnie or advanced areas. — Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026 Oil prices jumped Monday morning as the latest cycle of attacks and counterattacks renewed fears of further disruption to flows through the Strait of Hormuz. — Sam Meredith, CNBC, 13 July 2026 Morocco had more talent than Paraguay, more menacing technique and tactics, and, presumably, could mount more dangerous counterattacks. — Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 10 July 2026 Under coach Sergej Barbarez, a former professional poker player, the gritty Bosnians rarely gamble, instead playing a disciplined and physical style that emphasizes compactness and swift counterattacks. — Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026 Switzerland more than doubled Bosnia and Herzegovina’s possession in the first half, but did little with it as their fellow UEFA opponent defended with numbers in hopes of pouncing on counterattacks. — Josh Gross, Oc Register, 18 June 2026 Sun Yingsha’s speed, anticipation, backhand counterattacks, and composure under pressure have made her one of the greatest table-tennis athletes of all time. — Charlie Campbell, Time, 9 June 2026 Suwon responded with counterattacks as the North Koreans struggled to clear crosses into the box, with a header from home forward Haruhi Suzuki bouncing off a post in the 21st. — ABC News, 20 May 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for counterattacks

Noun

The development comes as the global shipping industry contends with attacks around the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, higher energy prices, and sharply reduced traffic through some of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints.

— Joshua Hong, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2026
The move follows months of Ukrainian attacks on oil refineries and logistics hubs that have disrupted fuel supplies and online commerce, deepening economic strain and public frustration as Russia’s war enters its fifth year.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of attacks

Noun

The campaign has put pressure on Russian logistics in Crimea, giving Ukrainian forces a degree of battlefield momentum that Kyiv has not enjoyed since its successful counteroffensives around Kherson and Kharkiv in late 2022.

— ABC News, ABC News, 26 Aug. 2026
But some officials believe Kyiv could have negotiated a peace agreement in mid-2022 if Washington had pushed its ally harder to engage in negotiations after the success of its Kherson and Kharkiv counteroffensives.

— Dafna H. Rand, Foreign Affairs, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of counteroffensives

Noun

The government has been carrying out a counteroffensive since January, with aerial bombardments and ground assaults, despite an official commitment to the peace agreement.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026
Since then, the assaults have been so frequent that even the mayor has lost counts.

— Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of assaults

Noun

Dozens of Iranians have died since the last bout of strikes and counterstrikes began, and thousands since February.

— Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 17 July 2026
The collapse of the ceasefire and interim agreement has led to days of strikes and counterstrikes across the region, with traffic in the crucial waterway once again largely halted as the two sides battle over it.

— Mithil Aggarwal, NBC news, 17 July 2026

Definition of counterstrikes

Browse Nearby Words

counterattackers

counterattacks

counterbalance

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“Counterattacks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterattacks. Accessed 29 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of counterattacks

noun

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